What is a Synoptic Assessment

Synoptic levels are a terrible end-of-the-school evaluation. If you are related to an AAT qualification (or A-level), then one day you will certainly come across a Synoptic Assessment. This has a simple motive: students should never memorise something in a module, but instead, understand why two subject points are related. As they assist one to grasp a complete and good knowledge of anything, some people adore them or believe they are useful, but in actuality, wouldn’t it be more beneficial if you know all? That is why AATs enjoy taking several smaller, easier tests instead of one big one.

During the 1990s heated debate broke out over the issue of modular tests and whether this had made children unable to learn their subjects. To relate to stuff in many fields, whereas you tend to handle them as bits of pieces of information, you need to synthesise. They review accounts and test how well you can apply your learning. Even top Universities in UK made changes in their system due to this logic and started focusing more on giving students assessments. 

I know all this sounds quite boring, but trust that once you have gone through this blog, you will understand everything properly. Also, several sections will benefit you like, a section where we will share some of the best strategies for writing your synoptic assessment.

 

 

 

 

 

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History of Synoptic Assessment

During the 1990s, educators believed that students in modular systems could not gain an overview of their preferred discipline. Yet the linear syllabus users lacked evidence that such views were held by them or that their syllabuses required these views to be possessed. Linear syllabi provided students with a better chance of understanding the whole syllabus holistically, and with Dearing (1996a), they had the chance to build up their understanding of the whole assessment at the final point. 

To explain to you in simple terms if you know the difference between qualitative and quantitative, you might understand it easily, like qualitative prefers collecting information from published sources, which shows that the researcher simply needs to find a good resource and get the information from there, but sooner or later they might forget the collected information. On the other side, quantitative is when one has to collect all the information by researching all by themselves, like creating a questionnaire, doing surveys and many other things; it is considered that the information remains longer with the researcher. 

There was concern that the modular syllabus could be so loose that students could take smaller modules and resit them separately from one another, rather than having to sit the entire assessment load at the same time. When this became the case, more researchers were interested in studying the same distance learning for those who had similar starting abilities and found conductivity (Taverner and Wright 1997). The two problems were solvable, however, by combining assessments, which were henceforth proposed they be considered under the name synoptic testing.

A later review of 16-19-year-old qualifications by Sir Ron Dearing in 1996 would lead later to the creation of Curriculum 2000 A-level specifications. In his interim review, he asked how synoptic assessment should be applied to conventional terminal examinations.

Should the synoptic assessment be extended to terminal examinations that do not have a synoptic assessment requirement?

In Dearing (1996b), he provided his last comment on:

Opinions on synoptic questions in final tests remained scant in public discourse because the majority supported modular A levels despite their opposition toward such questions in standard A levels. Most commentators agree that final exams measuring complete curriculum content constitute "synoptic" testing, so this issue affects only modular A-level programs.

Synoptic Assessment Meaning

Breadth remained a recurring subject concept which the different areas described through 'different parts of the A level course,' 'wide spectrum of texts', and 'multiple areas of study,' 'multiple contexts,' 'different approaches,' 'multiple economic topics', as well as other terms. The subject areas of classical civilisation, along with Latin and classical Greek, joined law as the fields which explicitly included breadth terminology in their descriptions. The most common descriptor in these texts was understanding, while the terms appreciation and sometimes their analytical variations with deeper and broader followed. A good assignment writing service can guide you on how you make your synoptic assessment in a way that you achieve good grades. 

Understanding appeared nineteen times in the survey results from 24 subjects, yet the subject areas for art business studies, D&T, music and PE did not include this reference. Synoptic assessment includes the evaluation of candidates' comprehension regarding subject connections through the phrase 'test candidates' understanding of the connections between different elements of the subject'. Various ways to define synoptic assessment emerged through studying the wording found in the different subject criteria. The term depth, alongside understanding, appeared with such frequency throughout the materials that it was omitted from the provided tables.

First, in these 24 subject areas, 18 defined them in terms of relating, connecting, interrelatedness, and links and 16 in terms of drawing together, integration, synthesis or bringing together. There was no reference to either category in only one of the subject areas – that is, the field of Latin and classical Greek. There is no clarity on whether they were two categories or simply two ways of saying the same thing. It isn’t clear, however, even within each category, that it is the same thing. Is it, not a case that 'understanding of the connection between the essential characteristics of historical study' (history) does not refer to the same even though they are distinct subjects and neither "characteristics" nor "elements" are defined, as in "viewing the relationship between diverse aspects of the subject" (business studies). If you are struggling anywhere to understand what the hell is going on, or not, you can simply seek help from a professional assignment helper, as they can make things easy for you. 

Second, 15 topics about applying and using came in second. The topics that did not specifically include this kind of activity were art, business studies, classical civilization, computing, English literature, geography, government and politics, history, and Latin and Greek. However, some of these topics are quite appropriate, as will be explained later.

Third, because the definitions are broad, it is possible that their meaning will be lost. However, it is generally believed that synoptic evaluation includes the connections between different A-level course strands. 

Fourth, the most frequent category, which was specifically mentioned in the criteria for nine subjects, has to do with concepts and principles. The other categories, settings, analysis, evaluation, expression, interpretation, and personal response were only mentioned in a few topic areas.

There are several things to keep in mind. The items were categorized by the author; this classification has not been independently verified or duplicated. Second, different people have varied definitions for the same words, even though they are meant to have the same meaning, particularly when discussing high-level concepts that are the focus of synoptic evaluation. As a result, the terms in the criteria may have implicit meanings that the ordinary reader is unaware of but that experts in their field assume when interpreting the criteria. 

You must learn tips on how to write an assignment so that you will be better for you to understand how things must be written in your synoptic assessment. 

Strategies for Writing Synoptic Assessment

Most students hurriedly worry about the written elements of the Synoptics but if you have a good understanding of the mandatory units, then written elements would not be shocking. Nevertheless, this must be done logically to be able to successfully pass the synoptic assessment. 

1. Before your Synoptic Assessment

Before you book the synoptic, there must have been a try at the mandatory units – it is probably not useful to attempt the synoptic until you have also completed all mandatory units. You can also look at stats, which show that if the mandatory units have been passed, the synoptic is more likely to be passed. 

Students can see the light at the end of the tunnel when they are making themselves ready for the synoptic. This, however, means that many students rush to their studies, which may not help them achieve the highest grade they can get or even fail the synoptic. Don’t take the synoptic if you feel you are not ready. It may be the difference between passing or failing if you allow yourself an extra couple of weeks to study. In these weeks, you must focus on ways to improve your academic writing. 

2. Preparing for Your Assessment

Make sure you have reviewed the pre-release materials before the Professional Diploma synoptic evaluation exam. This can help you save time on the test and give you some background information about the company you are analyzing.

Additionally, they learn how to use their past knowledge to advance through the AAT qualification. You may be tested on subjects that were discussed at higher certification levels in the synoptic. To prepare for the synoptic, where they attempt the computer-based assessments (CBAs) from the lower levels, some students may be able to acquire in-depth information and understanding. You can always revise too much, of course!

3. On the Day of your Assessment

Do not forget a calculator and a fountain pen. The invigilator will be able to lend you scrap paper to take notes with. There is nothing you can take into the exam, as you cannot have any learning materials. The invigilator must hand all scrap paper to be destroyed at the end of the exam. 

The synoptic has to be completed, and timing is of the essence. The Foundation Level synoptic exam is 2 hours in duration, the Advanced Level is 3 hours and 15 minutes, and the Professional Level is 3 hours. 

4. During your Assessment

Explain that the figures have an impact on the business and show the examiner what knowledge you have. Make sure that you do not give your answers in general, but rather base them on the given scenario. The examiner wants to learn how you would handle these situations in the real world and to explain what you found out.

When you are answering questions, do not spend too much on questions with few marks. There is a synoptic, so just take your time, answer the written parts of the question thoroughly, and read the question.  

Synoptic Assessment Fees and Sitting Arrangements

If you are doing the Level 2 Certificate in Accounting qualification, you will have to sit a synoptic assessment. It is a test of the links between the various topics that are covered during the qualification and is tested relatively late, in the qualification. 

You will get the synoptic assessment at any time on demand and the results will be available on the internet six weeks after submission. It is better to collect all this information on a prior basis only, as most of the students do searches while thinking about what to do when bored in class. 

Synoptic Assessment Fees

The fee for assessment is £38 to £68, depending on the qualification being studied. The training provider or an AAT-approved assessment venue charges fees. Therefore, you should verify that these are included in your overall training provider fee. Some of the training providers or assessment venues may attempt to charge an admin fee in addition to the AAT assessment fee. Remote invigilated assessments are priced at a £37 fee, and there could be an additional booking fee charged by your training provider.

Where to Sit Assessments

For most people who are studying with a classroom learning or a blended learning provider, you will take your assessments with your AAT-approved training provider.

If you enrol in distance learning, you can sit your assessments at an AAT-approved assessment venue.

Synoptic assessment tests all your knowledge gained up to the level, comprising many (not all) units. The task of this part of the qualification is to take an exam based on a computer, which means you have completed one core unit of the qualification and are then attempting part of the qualification.

It should prove your accountancy knowledge, and your skills in applying these in the workplace as well as totting up that you are a Qualified Accounting Technician rather than just passing exams.

Unit 1 for both the Level 3 Advanced and Level 4 Professional qualifications will be assessed by synoptic assessments at 6 fixed times of the year; however, our tutors have the flexibility to plan your studies around these.

Levels and Duration of Synoptic Assessment 

The synoptic assessment will take a duration of time, which will depend on the qualification.

• It is 2 2-hour foundation synoptic assessment.

• It takes 3 hours to do an advanced synoptic assessment.

• 3 hours is the professional synoptic assessment

Top tips for synoptic success

• Fill in the mandated units before scheduling the synoptic exam. You should do one of the assessments in case you don’t come out successful, and it is advisable to redo it before you sit for your synoptic. 

• When you are self-studying, make use of the resources. The AAT study support search has some really useful resources which will assist you in getting to grips with synoptic.

• Read the Chief Examiner’s Report. This is a useful document that offers feedback on each synoptic task. Each task is highlighted positively and negatively by the examiner.

• Focus your studies on your weak areas. Just remember for the mandatory units it is always worth attempting the CBAs on AAT’s study support area again as it will keep the skills fresh.

 

 

 

 

 

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Conclusion

In conclusion, synoptic evaluations seem quite tricky, but they are a true test that demonstrates that you have adequately mastered your subject and not just memorised data. 

To be organized and to revise well is a secret; if you are not organized, if you are not well, if you have not put all the courses before the exam day whether an AAT or an A level, being organized is presuming that you have studied well and so that you will not doubt yourself when you are very near your exam day.

Whether it is a comment or a question, never fail to bring it back to what is given, and on test day, compose, use time wisely, and do not write normal responses. Examiners will observe how you would take your knowledge and apply it. Remember that this Chief Examiner reports, previous exams, AAT study aids, and other materials are all available to you.

All synoptic exams are about getting a good degree, but also about making sure you are ready for what happens next: whether further study or work in your area. It is, therefore, why you should take a deep breath, work hard and pass the test.